The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-02-18
R L T R | B 7 Ito N.
BY "THE DUCHESS"
CHAPTER XIII,

Mr.. Duran's house in Berkeley square
is presided over by his aunt-a little,
thin, wiry, kindly old lady, with cork
screw ringlets and high peaky nose.
Her acquaintances are MS old-fashioned
as her curls, but 1t is amazing how many
she has Of them. They are Of the staid,
eminently respectable order, all able to
count their generations, and all carriage
people" Yet It might be admitted that
sometimes Miss Duran pines for the
young ana frivolous, and would be glad to
welcome them inside her nephew's doors
her doors, as they might be called, so
little does he interfere with her arrange
ments, and so seldom does he show him
self between 10 a. m. and II p. m.
On this particular Wednesday quite u
stir and hustle OF the thick silken skirts
take place, as Gerald Massareene, srnil-
ing and gay, enters Miss Durans draw
ing room. There is, in spite of the deb
onair manner that distinguishes him,
and induces oil these old young men to
look askance at him, and grow green
with envy, and that causes the quite old
men to wink and nudge each other, and
call him "a sad dog''-a suspicion of anx-
iety that renders his kind eyes melan-
choly, and makes him favorite at once
with all the gentle, elderly women.
He Is a fashionable looking young
man, exquisitely dressed, and is, in fact,
such departure from Miss Duran's
drawing room, that he creates an i'm
mense sensation, that is only to be sur
passed by the entrance of lovely young
woman ten minutes afterward, who
sweeps up to Miss Duran with the most
charming smile in the world on her beau
tiful face.
iuo n1tv !, ~ 81.
her little gray clad hand into that of the
astonished spinster, 1--WE have been want
ing to come and see you for such q time
-auntie and but there have been so
many other tiresome engagements. And,
after all, it Is better, is it not, to leave the
best to the lastS' this with swift glance
at Massarcene that sets his heart a-beat-
ing. Even now, we could not come
together; there was some absurd crush
somewhere, and we had promised to go,
SO told auntie | wanted to see you even
more than she did; SO packed her off to
her afternoon and l came to mine"
Her low trainante voice, her pretty
smile, the gentle pressure Of the little
hand, all won Miss Duran heart at once.
She had met Millicent two or three
times, brt now she persuades herself that
they have been good friends for many
years. What lovely creature How
nice Of her to come to this dull old
house just to see stupid old maid Dear,
dear me, there were not many who would
do thati
Meantime the "lovely creature" is
taking her tea from Gerald Massareene's
hands. Tea Of an exquisite flavor and
rich with country cream, sent up spec
tally from the heart Of Hampshire for
Misc nrrap'o WadpocdoyS rao carvad ;,,
priceless old Crown Derby, before which
the modern limitations might hold down
their heads.
"SugarP" asks Gerald in society
tone; and then, considerably lower, "my
own darlingr'
"Ehs" says Miss Grey in return to this
impassioned address, with a startling
promptitude that is rather dispiriting.
In truth, having got here, no matter
how, and so acknowledged to Massareene
that she has thought it worth her while
to give up for his sake one of the most
brilliant concerns of the season, she is a
little frightened, little impatient and
yet good deal glad.
"Millicent," says Gerald, dropping into
the chair near her, "that you have come
at all is so much more than dared hope
for that would now entreat you to let
my Joy continue by being kind to me for
the short hour we may be together
His tone is very sad in spite of the joy
he mentions. Old Miss Duran, looking
kindly at the two young people who
have descended into her midst and cast
such cloud of sunshine upon the dull,
stately drawing room, reads us clearly as
though it were all in print before her
that this young mantle son of her dead
cousin-is breaking his heart for love Of
the pretty, slender girl staring SO SOL
emnly into her tea cup, and that the
pretty girl is not altogether indifferent
about it.
"Blcss me! And hear she is to be
married to that nephew of Lucy Brands.
Well, to judge by her face, should say
her heart is not in it. Poor young thingsl
Evidently they have entered into the bliss
full realms of love. Cupid's darts have
found o lodging in their tender breastsr'
Sometimes Miss Duran, in spite of the
ringlets, indulged in flights of poetic
fancy. "How romantic How full of
pathos! That dear boy!-why, l can see
him dwindling away before my eyes.
Quite wreck he is becoming, though art
and his tailor may try to delude me-.
Well, l must see what can be done. Ger
aid, my dear, do you think Miss Grey
would like to zee that painting of your
great-grandfather that adorns the west
wall of the library 1t is well worth a
visit, assure you my dear Miss Grey,
Do let Gerald persuade you to look at It,.
A masterpiece, l assure you. One of
Lely's brightest etfortsl'
"Come" says Gerald, in low entreat-
ing tone.
Millicent hesitates for a moment, and
then, according to custom, is lost.
She rises, gives her cup to him to lay
upon 4 table near, and with q bright
smile and glance directed to her hostess
follows him out of the room.
Although his spirits have risen almost
beyond his control, Mr.. Massareene be-
hayes himself wonderfully until the hall
is crossed and the library gained. Then,
regret to say, lie considerably forgets
himself. He throws honor to the winds,
and taking Grant Boyle's fiancee in his
arms, strains her to his heart.
"Darllng of my heartw whispers he,
with n sigh Of passionate gladness.
At Miss Grey's conduct on this occasion
am also bound to express regret. In
stead of the indignation she should have
shown, she simply pushes him away
from her with very lenient hand, and
laughs little.
"Was there ever such bad boyr' says
she, standing back from him with palm
extended to keep him Off "Are you to
tally without grace;n
"on the contrary, am filled with it
have gained-you.
"Gained?"
"Millcent, will you tell me now that
am nothing to youN
Certainly not; you are always as
hope, my very good friendn'
II am not. am your lover, or moth
ingr'
"It is not good for woman to have
two lovers"
| "Call Boyle lover' Pshawr' say
Mr.. Massareene with fine contempt
Compare him with me, and where ar
your
"Why here'" says she, laughing, AnC
then all at n,e her gayety comes to al
end, and her face clouds. "Alasr erie
she, "what is TO be the end of it allF'
| "St. Georges, Hanover square," re
turns he, with undiminished courage.
| "Yes; with Grant as bridegroom"
| "With me, you mean. Sweetheart
why can you not break all these chain
that bind you, and give yourself as yon
heart directst'
Miss Grey has subsidized into tears, an,
big chair.
''If / only dare" sobs sho from benin,
her handkerchief.
AT this half admission Mr.. MassaI
eene's hope rises fortyfold,
"If you dared-what theny' he asks
/ Enaalinn hAGf1a hAE nd inn IA IN,